Cinema VinesIn a bold move that blends cinema with national history, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has teamed up with Leo Media Collective to craft a feature film about Rameshwar Nath Kao, the architect of India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW. The project, still untitled, is slated for a theatrical release on August 11, 2028, aligning with the Independence Day weekend and marking the 60th anniversary of R&AW’s founding.
According to insiders, the film is currently in development, with production expected to begin in mid‑2026. While the cast and director remain undisclosed, the makers insist an A‑list actor will helm the role of Kao. The narrative will span from 1955 to 1971, chronicling the circumstances that led to the creation of R&AW and its first major operation during the 1971 war against Pakistan.
“Leo Media has been researching and dramatizing this story with passion for the past two years,” Karan Johar said in a statement released on September 21, 2026. “We want this film to be a gripping, fact‑based story that pays homage to RAW and honors their milestone year with a solid motion picture.”
The film will adapt Nitin Gokhale’s book *Gentleman Spymaster*, and the collaboration marks a reunion for Dharma and Leo after the successes of *Bad Newz* and *Kesari: Chapter 2*. Rohit, a senior producer at Leo, noted that the project will spotlight Kao’s strategic mind and professionalism, qualities praised by former R&AW chiefs.
With the release date set to coincide with the 58th anniversary of R&AW’s establishment, the makers aim to celebrate the legacy of an unsung legend who brought Indian espionage onto the global stage. The film’s premiere on Independence Day promises to be a cinematic tribute to the agency’s 60‑year journey.
